Thursday, August 29, 2013

Today begins my five day mini
vacation. I guess you can call it a stay-cation. Just needed a few extra days tagged onto the
long holiday weekend to relax, take care of things around the house and do fun
things around town. If you live in the Bay Area like I do, you know that living
outside of San
Francisco for the
next five days will make it challenging to head over the bay bridge, since it
is officially closed for preparations to opening the brand new bridge. Years in the making, it is an exciting time
for bay area residents. Luckily, our
plans do not include heading into the city for the long weekend.

As for this week’s Friday Night Bites,
I was inspired by the sun dried tomato pesto that I made last weekend for the
sandwich I entered into the Mezzetta Make That Sandwich contest. Hubby couldn’t get enough of the pesto and
said it was the secret weapon to a winning sandwich. My fingers are crossed. In addition to that
pesto, I made another wonderful pesto a couple weeks ago, that was equally as delicious. I thought; why not combine them together to
create a suburb little bite. I love
anything mini when it comes to an appetizer – oh heck – I love appetizers. Oh and I adore a great grilled cheese
sandwich, so why not make mini grilled cheese sandwich bites with the sun dried
tomato and walnut arugula pesto.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

I absolutely adore a wonderful sandwich that is jam packed
with flavor. It can have a few
ingredients or a million, as long as it tastes delicious. I often gravitate towards a grilled or toasted
sandwich over the soft bread type sandwiches – although those have a place in
my repertoire too. Probably my favorite
staple sandwich is the classic grilled cheese.
Growing up it was the one with those slices of American cheese that came
in the wrappers – you know what I talking about. Smile. The cheese melted really
well and oozed out as you ate the sandwich.
As a grown up, my palate has refined a bit and my grilled cheese now is
with jarlsburg, light rye and a bit of pepper jam inside. Still might sneak a
childhood version now and then.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

At our last book club get
together, we had the most amazing dessert.We alternate between the 10 ladies in the club as to who will be the
hostess (with the mostess). A couple weeks ago, Cindy opened up her lovely home
to all of us to discuss our book selection – Transatlantic by Colum McCann.The overall majority enjoyed the
book and we had some lively discussion, which is a good thing. Sometimes the
book doesn’t resonate with everyone and that is okay; just means the discussion
is shorter.(Click "Read More" below to continue post)

Sunday, August 18, 2013

The third week of the month means it is Secret Recipe Club
time. It is a time when I get to
experience the great reveal and who clandestinely had my blog for a month. Did they look through every post or simply go
to their favorite category to make their decision? Sometimes I am astonished how far back the
viewing goes; sometimes a post from several years ago makes the great
reveal. What post will it be this month?
If you want to get in on the action, simply click on the Secret Recipe Club and
learn how to join in the fun.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

My adoration with
figs continues. A new fig season begins
and many recipes to be made with these purple little gems. One day soon I will be setting aside time to
make 60 plus jars of Balsamic Fig Jam to have for gifts and of course for
personal enjoyment. Thinking about it now,
I will probably lean on the side of making more than sixty. It is actually quite simple to make – I just
need to secure the time.

When I spied figs at Trader Joe’s a few weeks ago, I knew
the window had opened but before I know it, that window will close. The time is now – carpe diem. Don’t be shocked if you see several upcoming
posts featuring figs. The most common
figs on the market are the Brown Turkey and Mission
figs. You may see both green and purple
figs, which both taste similar but visually quite dissimilar.

Monday, August 12, 2013

A trip this weekend to the farmers market proved to be fruitful once
again. If you remember, I made a Farmer’sMarket Salad with Honey Lime Dressing about a week ago. It was simply divine and this week I have
another delightful summer salad to share.
Okay, if you know me or have been follow Authentic Suburban Gourmet for
sometime, you know I have a slight obsession with figs. I never really had them as a kid, except for
the good ole fig Newton. My affinity with these perfect little gems
spans from my making my Balsamic Fig Jam to strategically placing on a Proscuitto and Fig Pizza. The vivid colors of this
salad scream fresh and tasty.

A great salad can be a masterpiece, perhaps even your own
Mona Lisa of sorts. The possibilities
are endless. Often when I head to the
farmers market I will browse the vendors to observe the seasonal
offerings. The simple clue is when 2 or
3 vendors are carrying the same items, and then you wrap back around and choose
the vendor with the freshest produce.
Summer time is particularly bountiful with heirloom tomatoes, berries of
all sorts, stone fruit galore, colorful peppers and sweet corn.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Who doesn’t want to be
transported to VeniceItaly for an evening?
I can’t imagine someone turning down such a special invitation –
certainly not me. If you have ever
traveled to Venice, then you probably have stepped into the famous
Harry’s Bar. This is the home of the
world famous Bellini cocktail which derived its name from the unique pink
color, which reminded the owner of the color of the toga of a saint in the
painting by 15th century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini. It is simply pureed white peaches and
Prosecco.

Harry’s Bar is steeped in
history with its roots beginning in 1931 by the bartender Guiseppe Cipriani. History dictates that Harry Pickering, a
wealthy young man from Boston frequented
the Hotel Europe where Cipriani was bartending.
Harry exclaimed one day that his family cut off his funds due to his
excessive drinking, Cipriani loaned him 10,000 lire (about $5,000 dollars). Approximately two years later, Harry returned
and gave Cipriani 50,000 lire in return.
Cipriani was very thankful and appreciative. Harry said – “Here’s the money. And to show you my appreciation, here’s 40,000
more, enough to open a bar. We will call
it Harry’s Bar.”(Click "Read More" below to continue post)

Monday, August 5, 2013

Strolling through my local farmer’s market early on a
Saturday morning is incredibly relaxing.
I try to enter without preconceived ideas of what to purchase or planned
recipes. I have every intention of
letting my mind be open to what bounty is available while exploring each vendor’s
booth. I must admit, I have a few
favorites. With the seasons consistently
changing, the selection is embryonic and thus my repertoire evolves.

With my global friendly bag in hand, my mission begins. A few baskets of small orange sweet tomatoes
and ripe red tomatoes make their way into my basket from one of my favorite
vendors, which happen to have prime real estate at the entrance of the market. I guess that could be looked at two ways –
people pick up right away or choose to stroll the rest of the market and then
have a full bag. I am the first scenario.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Although I have never actually stepped foot in the country
of Spain, I am
utterly obsessed with Tapas.Spain
is definitely on my bucket list. Tapas are small appetizers or snacks in the
Spanish cuisine. They are served cold
and hot. The most common ingredients,
types and flavors include olives, peppers, and seafood including anchovies,
ham, meatballs, garlic, salted cod, chorizo, garlic, empanadas, roasted pork,
mushrooms, manchego cheese and frittata. Quite honestly, the combinations are
simply endless.